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Everyone’s mind is on AI these days. For good reasons and bad. As excited as we are about our ability to come up with quick answers to queries, sum up meetings easily, and produce realistic images upon request, many people are terrified about the prospect of losing their jobs to this ever-advancing technology.
This is an understandable concern, but when it comes to the travel industry, it is largely an unwarranted one. While it is true that AI is helping with things like answering customer queries and helping to design travel ideas, much of the substantive work absolutely demands human effort.
People using tech, tech helping people
The beauty of the modern travel industry is that it combines the best of human effort and technology. While certain aspects of travel will always remain the same-such as the need to get a taxi Miami when you fly into Florida (don’t even think about using public transportation)–many others have simply gotten better.
VR and personal agents work together
These days, VR can take you on incredible immersive tours of the Great Wall of China, the jungles of Amazon, the glaciers of Greenland, and pretty much every spectacular place you can imagine. But what it can’t do is speak to your concerns about tropical diseases, assuage your fears about food allergies, and provide in-depth information about what particular cultures are really like.
The beauty of today’s travel industry is that travelers can utilize all this fabulous immersive technology for inspiration, but ultimately consult a live professional who can provide in-person accounts of what the visiting experience is really like. And let’s not forget the guides that we get on site when we travel! Many people’s most memorable experiences during their travels have to do with the bond they formed with individual guides. This is something that can never be replaced by machines.
Data rules, but personal advice matters
Big Data can do a lot of things these days. It can help create super-specific tours for groups of people that are far from the usual cookie-cutter models. Do you have an interest in obscure reptiles in Australia? Maybe others do, too. And the right agency can help put this together for you.
The point is, you still need agents to explain what the whole experience will be like. You don’t want to rush off to surround yourself by crocodiles until you really know what you are getting yourself into. And there may be very specific precautions that might deter you from taking part in the end. The point is, you will never know this until you talk to a human. Seasoned professionals with experience in the trade can guide you through the process before you get started.
Beyond the CDC
Websites and travel advisory boards can warn you about disease outbreaks, official danger levels, and other important aspects of the countries you travel through. It is always a good idea to check these resources before you travel.
What these resources don’t do so well is consult you about your personal food concerns, or where pockets of safe havens may exist inside countries considered to be unacceptable. Sometimes, the State Department leaves a particular country on a high danger level because of events that occurred years ago. The point is, every new endeavor in life requires discussion and a well-thought out plan. This can only happen through interaction with informed people.
Find the right agency
The good news is that travelers can find the right people to talk to if they look in the right places (partially thanks to online resources!). These days, there is a ton of specialization in the industry, so even if you have eccentric interests you should be able to find the right agent to help you. Always be sure to look through third-party reviews before choosing an agent. And be sure to plan properly: get your tickets well in advance, and book an airport transfer through GetTransfer so that your trips to and from the airport are seamless.
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